Gumball smash two quizzed

TWO millionaire businessmen from Greater Manchester are being quizzed by police in Macedonia after their Porsche was involved in an accident during the world famous Gumball 3000 rally. Organisers of the rally closed the event down following the death of Vladimir Cepulyoski, 67, from Macedonia, who died in hospital from a heart attack on Thursday, after the crash on Wednesday.

TWO millionaire businessmen from Greater Manchester are being quizzed by police in Macedonia after their Porsche was involved in an accident during the world famous Gumball 3000 rally.

Organisers of the rally closed the event down following the death of Vladimir Cepulyoski, 67, from Macedonia, who died in hospital from a heart attack on Thursday, after the crash on Wednesday.

He had not been involved in the rally.

Nick Morley, 30, from Altrincham, and Matt McConville, 36, from Prestwich, were taking part in the 300-mile rally across Europe, which attracts rich and famous contestants from all over the world, when they were in collision with another car in Macedonia. Police in the Balkan state said the pair would testify to an investigative magistrate before a decision would be made on whether to hold them in custody.

"Two British citizens left the scene of the accident. Shortly afterwards, border authorities found them in another (vehicle) at the Qafasan border crossing with Albania," a spokesman said.

The Gumball 3000 has been a draw for the rich and famous for almost a decade, speeding through Europe in high-powered sports cars by day and enjoying lavish parties by night.

It is believed the two men waited at the scene until ambulance crews arrived to help the driver of the second car, before rejoining the event heading towards Albania.

They are believed to have reported the accident when they got to the border and were asked to give statements. But when they returned to the border to continue their trip, they were told the other person involved had died.

Assistance

They were taken back to a nearby police station, where Mr Morley was held. A Foreign Office spokesman said: "We can confirm that two Britons have been involved in a road traffic accident. We have been in contact and are providing appropriate assistance." Mr Morley lives with his older brother, Oliver, who is managing director of the fast-growing property company, Morley Estates, where Mr McConville is property director.

Oliver today declined to comment and Mr McConville's mobile phone was not answered.

Staff at the firm's offices in Altrincham declined to comment.

The tycoons are typical of the new breed of investors in commercial property who have used family wealth and good connections to make millions in a rising market.

They specialised in developing factories and industrial estates of north Manchester which have grown in value rapidly.